PubMed-compiled information sheet
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Compiled from 15 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Grindelia squarrosa is an arid lands herb used in Native American traditional medicine and is a potential source of pharmacologically active compounds [PMID:37175263].
Background
Grindelia squarrosa (Gumweed) is a medicinal herb of the sunflower family (Asteraceae) that grows in arid lands [PMID:37175263, PMID:26119826]. It is characterized by a resinous exudate on its surfaces, particularly on unopened composite flowers [PMID:26119826].
Traditional uses
It has been used in Native American traditional medicine [PMID:37175263] and is traditionally used for respiratory tract diseases such as cough, rhinitis, bronchitis, throat infection, fever, and influenza [PMID:31644941].
Active compounds
The plant contains grindelic acid, a signature metabolite [PMID:39454950, PMID:26119826]. Essential oils are rich in monoterpenoids, including alpha-pinene, limonene, terpinolene, borneol, beta-pinene, bornyl acetate, and p-cymen-8-ol [PMID:37175263, PMID:35956847, PMID:24868887]. It also contains phenolic acids such as caffeic, chlorogenic, p-coumaric, p-hydroxybenzoic, ferulic, gallic, protocatechuic, vanillic, salicylic, p-hydroxyphenylacetic, and ellagic acids [PMID:22876612].
Mechanism of action
G. squarrosa extract and grindelic acid may modulate pro-inflammatory functions of respiratory epithelium and human macrophages [PMID:33536899]. Compounds from the plant may limit neutrophil migration by suppressing the release of chemo-attractants and cytokines (IL-8, IL-1beta, and TNF-alpha) and downregulating adhesive molecules [PMID:31644941].
Clinical evidence
Evidence DRespiratory inflammation
Extracts and grindelic acid modulate pro-inflammatory functions of respiratory epithelium and human macrophages [PMID:33536899].
Evidence DBacterial infection
(-)-beta-Pinene from the essential oil showed strong antibacterial activity against Streptococcus pneumoniae [PMID:37175263].
Evidence DPoison oak dermatitis
A case report suggests potential efficacy of Grindelia spp. for relieving mild-to-moderate poison ivy dermatitis [PMID:16131296].
Evidence summary
The current evidence is primarily based on in vitro studies, chemical composition analysis, and a single case report; there are no high-level clinical trials or systematic reviews available.
PubMed sources
- 1.PMID: 37175263 (2023) — Essential Oil Composition of Grindelia squarrosa from Southern Idaho. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
- 2.PMID: 35956847 (2022) — Neutrophil Immunomodulatory Activity of (-)-Borneol, a Major Component of Essential Oils Extracted from Grindelia squarrosa. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
- 3.PMID: 33536899 (2020) — Grindelia squarrosa Extract and Grindelic Acid Modulate Pro-inflammatory Functions of Respiratory Epithelium and Human Macrophages. · Frontiers in pharmacology
- 4.PMID: 39454950 (2024) — The crystal structure of Grindelia robusta 7,13-copalyl diphosphate synthase reveals active site features controlling catalytic specificity. · The Journal of biological chemistry
- 5.PMID: 31644941